Author's Reply to “Readers' Responses to ‘MRI Replaces CT for Stroke Evaluation’”
Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: To the Editor,
I thank Drs. Carpenter and Zeccola for their thoughtful comments.[1] Although it is clearly not feasible to currently implement MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] scanning for stroke at all institutions, it is still worth striving for as an optimal situation in the future. Many hospitals, both academic and community, have already implemented such an approach, demonstrating that is quite practical with the appropriate personnel and systems in place. In our experience, this only rarely requires interrupting an ongoing exam if the stroke team alerts the MRI technologists as soon as a potential acute stroke is identified. In addition, a stroke protocol MRI can be performed rapidly, particularly with the increased use of 3T scanners. A multimodal study, including diffusion, perfusion, gradient echo imaging, plus MRA [magnetic resonance angiography], can be performed well under 10 minutes. Moreover, this approach actually would lead to a cost savings. Most stroke patients currently receive a CT [computed tomographic] scan in the ED [emergency department] and then eventually an MRI for further stroke evaluation. Performing the MRI in the ED would eliminate the first CT scan altogether.
Readers are encouraged to respond to George Lundberg, MD, Editor of MedGenMed, for the editor's eye only or for possible publication via email: ten.epacsdem@grebdnulg
Source: PubMed Central
Author: Chelsea S. Kidwell
Institutions: MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2991901337